Health care provider views on the magnitude of overweight/obesity in spinal cord injury and awareness of evidence‐based guidance for weight management

Background Literature shows that large proportions of people with a spinal cord injury (SCI) continue to experience challenges and limitations in weight management (WM) efforts in the health care setting. Despite the need, evidence‐based research on effective and practical WM practices for persons with SCI is inconsistent and not widely used by health care providers (HCPs). Objective The objectives were twofold: (1) to explore HCP perspectives of the extent of the problem of overweight/obesity in individuals with SCI and (2) HCPs awareness of and beliefs about availability of literature or evidence‐based guidelines that discuss WM in SCI. Design Qualitative study using semistructured interviews with HCPs and thematic analysis to identify themes. Participants/Setting SCI HCPs (n = 25) from Veterans Health Administration and Midwest Regional SCI Care System. Intervention Not applicable. Results SCI HCPs (88%) emphasized the large scope of the problem of overweight and obesity in persons with SCI. HCPs noted the multiple associated negative consequences, specifically 84% highlighted the impact on chronic conditions (cardiometabolic, respiratory) and 48% discussed the impact on secondary/associated conditions (skin, bowel, bladder, musculoskeletal). HCPs noted other impacts of excess weight as greater disability in later life (28%), challenges with mobility and function (60%), self‐care (24%), and equipment safety (28%). This sample of HCPs (76%) indicated being unaware of published or available information about WM efforts that work in SCI populations. Conclusion Our findings indicate that HCPs believe that overweight and obesity is a significant problem in persons with SCI but that this sample of HCPs are not aware of published work and easily accessible SCI‐specific WM evidence‐based guidance. This suggests the need for more education and proactive efforts to improve awareness of appropriate information within interprofessional HCPs.